Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Rafael Clavijo is a urological surgeon and researcher whose work has significantly advanced the field of minimally invasive and robotic-assisted urological surgery. His research spans several specialized domains, including benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) management, reconstructive urology, and complex stone disease, with a particular focus on replacing traditional open surgical approaches with robotic and laparoscopic techniques. Clavijo's most impactful contribution is his pioneering work on robotic simple prostatectomy, first described in 2008, which has accumulated over 219 citations and helped establish robotic surgery as a viable, lower-morbidity alternative to open prostatectomy for large, symptomatic BPH. He further refined this approach with the novel intrafascial technique in 2012, reducing blood loss and eliminating the need for postoperative bladder irrigation. His work on robotic repair of vesicovaginal fistulas demonstrates versatility in reconstructive pelvic surgery, while his contributions to single-port radical prostatectomy and laparoendoscopic single-site pelvic surgery reflect a consistent drive toward less invasive innovation. With over 330 cumulative citations, Clavijo's body of work has meaningfully shaped modern urological surgical practice and continues to inform training and technique development worldwide.